Spinal cyst treatment in Dubai at DRFK Turkish Medical Center is performed by Op. Dr. Fatih Kırar, DHA-licensed spine and neurosurgery specialist (17+ years). DRFK provides the complete pathway for synovial spinal cysts, facet joint cysts, and lumbar spinal cysts, from MRI-based diagnosis and nerve compression assessment through targeted steroid injection, endoscopic cyst excision, and microdecompression surgery.
DRFK Turkish Medical Center is located at Villa 2, Al Athar Street, Jumeirah 3, Dubai. The clinic is easily accessible from Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Safa, Business Bay, and Downtown Dubai within around 15 minutes via Sheikh Zayed Road, with on-site parking available.
Spinal cyst treatment in Dubai at DRFK Turkish Medical Center is performed by Op. Dr. Fatih Kırar, DHA-licensed spine and neurosurgery specialist (17+ years). DRFK provides the complete pathway for synovial spinal cysts, facet joint cysts, and lumbar spinal cysts, from MRI-based diagnosis and nerve compression assessment through targeted steroid injection, endoscopic cyst excision, and microdecompression surgery.
For the full non-surgical spine programme visit the Spine Treatment hub. For surgical options visit the Spine Surgery hub.
Some cysts are stable and need monitoring; others grow or clearly compress a nerve with a predictable radicular map. Distinguishing this prevents unnecessary surgery and flags cases that need targeted excision.
We align:
Seek emergency care for:
A spinal cyst is an abnormal fluid-filled sac forming within or adjacent to the spinal canal, compressing nerve roots and producing pain, sciatica-like symptoms, and neurological deficits. The most common type presented to a spinal cyst specialist in Dubai is the synovial facet joint cyst.
Core mechanism: facet joint degeneration → spinal instability → synovial fluid leakage → cyst formation → nerve compression → sciatica-like leg pain and numbness.
Facet joint degeneration → instability → synovial fluid leakage through microscopic tears → cystic accumulation in the posterior canal, most often compressing the L4/L5 traversing root.
Ligament laxity and disc degeneration increase segmental motion and accelerate cyst formation. Risk with instability, spondylolisthesis, and advanced facet arthritis.
Sudden bladder or bowel loss with back pain: call 999 immediately or attend emergency, do not wait for a routine appointment.
Op. Dr. Fatih Kırar correlates clinical presentation with MRI before selecting treatment.
Lead specialist
Neurosurgeon, neurospine
Brain & Spine Surgery
17+ years experience
DHA License No: 20305968-001
View full profile| Diagnostic Tool | Spinal Cyst Application |
|---|---|
| MRI Spine (with gadolinium) | Gold standard, location, size, compression, posterior synovial cyst sign |
| CT Spine | Facet hypertrophy, bony anatomy, cyst wall calcification |
| Neurological Examination | Motor and sensory grading, treatment urgency |
| NCS / EMG | Root level and severity confirmation |
Decision flow: small cyst + mild symptoms → conservative | moderate compression → injection | neurological deficit → surgery.
Physiotherapy and activity modification: core strengthening and reduced facet loading for mild or mildly symptomatic cysts.
Epidural / facet steroid injection (Op. Dr. Fatih Kırar, fluoroscopy-guided): best for moderate synovial cyst with irritation without major deficit. Relief often 3–14 days; duration variable. Limitation: cysts frequently recur because underlying facet degeneration remains.
Aspiration during injection is technically challenging, cyst contents often communicate with the facet joint under pressure; success and durability are variable. This is opportunistic, not a routine primary aim.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): 12–24 months facet pain relief without removing the cyst.
Observation: small incidental cysts without compression, serial MRI at 6–12 months unless symptoms or growth develop.
Surgery when: neurological deficit; large cyst with significant compression; insufficient injection relief; progressive growth on serial MRI with worsening symptoms.
| Treatment | Best For | Nerve Decompression | Recurrence Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapy | Mild symptoms, small cyst | No | N/A |
| Facet Steroid Injection | Moderate compression | Indirect | Higher |
| RFA | Facet pain component | No | Moderate |
| Observation | Small incidental cyst | No | N/A |
| Endoscopic Cyst Excision | Moderate-large cyst, stable spine | Yes, direct | Low |
| Microdecompression | Large cyst with neurology | Yes, direct | Low |
| Decompression + Fusion | Cyst + instability | Yes, direct + stabilisation | Very low |
Recurrence: synovial cysts are driven by facet degeneration and instability. Excision alone recurs in 5–15% of cases; fusion in unstable spines reduces risk. Long-term core strengthening and weight management help.
| Treatment | Pain Relief | Desk Return | Full Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facet Steroid Injection | Days–2 weeks | 1–2 days | 1–2 weeks |
| Endoscopic Cyst Excision | 1–2 weeks | 1–2 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
| Microdecompression | 1–3 weeks | 2–4 weeks | 6–8 weeks |
| Decompression + Fusion | 4–8 weeks | 6–10 weeks | 3–6 months |
Lead specialist
Neurosurgeon, neurospine
Brain & Spine Surgery
17+ years experience
DHA License No: 20305968-001
Op. Dr. Fatih Kırar, Full profileDHA-licensed spinal cyst specialist and founder of DRFK, 17+ years. Full pathway from facet injection through endoscopic excision and decompression-fusion for cysts with instability. Active DHA practitioner licence, verify on dha.gov.ae. Languages: English, Arabic, Turkish.
Symptomatic spinal cyst surgery with confirmed nerve compression is medically indicated and covered by most UAE plans including GlobeMed, pre-authorisation managed by our team.
Call +971 4 882 1015 anytime. WhatsApp DRFK Neurosurgery: +971 58 841 43 34.
Gadolinium MRI, size, compression, cyst type.
Op. Dr. Fatih Kırar, facet/epidural when appropriate.
Facet pain component or small incidental cysts.
7mm port, day case when indicated.
Complete excision under microscope.
When instability drives recurrence risk.
Bring prior MRI discs/USB, comparison is essential
Bladder or bowel change, call 999 immediately
Core strengthening long term reduces recurrence risk
Medically reviewed by Op. Dr. Fatih Kırar | DRFK Turkish Medical Center, Jumeirah 3, Dubai | Last updated: April 2026
Every day: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Villa 2 Al Athar Street, Jumeirah 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
